Administration Guidelines and Best Practices for Assessment
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      1. EarlyBird Knowledge Nest
      2. Planning and Assessment
      3. Administration Guidelines and Best Practices for Assessment

      Oral Subtest Requirements

      Learn more about our oral subtests, how they differ from other subtests, and best practices for capturing student responses.

      Some of our EarlyBird subtests simply require the student to listen to a prompt and tap or click on the correct answer. However, there are other skill areas for which our assessment requires students to respond orally. Some measures that can be taken in the classroom to promote clear student responses include providing adult oversight during these subtest, reducing background noise in the classroom, and utilizing headphones. This video will provide an overview of best administration practices during our oral response subtests:

       

      Oral Response Subtests:

      During our oral response subtests, (Letter Name, Letter Sound, Blending, Deletion, NonWord Repetition, Word Reading, NonWord Reading, and RAN), students will listen to a prompt and then respond by speaking the answer. Because student responses are then recorded and used for scoring, it is important to make sure the student is speaking clearly at an appropriate volume and that the background noise is not louder than the student. 

      Headsets with Microphone:

      • Having headphones with a microphone is highly recommended.  A key component of the screener involves recording the student speaking. Schools report that headsets are better than earbuds: an example that EarlyBird has used in testing can be found here.
      • TIP: Wrap tape around the volume button to prevent students from turning the volume down too low.

      Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when administering oral response subtests (Blending, Deletion, Expressive Vocabulary, NonWord Repetition, Word Reading, NonWord Reading, and RAN):

      1. Sit students separated and facing in the same direction.
      2. Double-check check your equipment is working properly.  This includes making sure the headset is plugged all the way into the port, the volume is up, and the microphone is lined up to the student's mouth.
      3. Remind the student to speak loud and clear.
      4. Remind students to say their full answer before clicking the green arrow.
      5. Limit background noise as this can interfere with audio recording.
      6. Adult oversight is always recommended to be sure students are speaking clearly and clicking the green arrow at the appropriate time.